Airport transfer overcharging in Türkiye: how to avoid it

How it works

Drivers approach arriving passengers and offer a transfer at an inflated price. Airport transfers are a particularly frequent point for taxi overcharging. Drivers approaching people inside the terminals are unregulated.

Warning signs

A driver approaches you inside the terminal.
You are led away from the official taxi rank.
The driver resists using the meter.

How to avoid it

Use the official taxi rank.
Check that the meter is running.
Consider Havaİst airport buses, which have published fares.
From IST, consider the M11 metro.

If it happens to you

Record the vehicle plate, taxi hub details and payment evidence if safe. Report an unresolved dispute to police.

Get somewhere safe. Avoid chasing thieves or escalating a dispute. Call 112 if you are threatened, injured or need urgent help.
Check what is missing or wrongly charged. Block stolen cards and secure accounts on a missing phone immediately.
Save evidence. Keep receipts, booking records, messages and payment alerts. Note the time, place and vehicle plate if relevant.
If safe, ask the business to correct the bill or refund the disputed amount. Explain the agreed price and currency clearly.
Report theft or suspected fraud to police. Ask for a report or reference number for your bank or insurer.
Contact your card issuer, insurer or booking service as needed. Contact your embassy or consulate if your passport is missing.

What travellers report

Posts about this scam on other sites, summarised in our words. Open one to read the original.

Questions

What is the airport transfer overcharging scam in Türkiye?

Drivers approach arriving passengers and offer a transfer at an inflated price. Airport transfers are a particularly frequent point for taxi overcharging. Drivers approaching people inside the terminals are unregulated.

How can I spot it early?

A driver approaches you inside the terminal. You are led away from the official taxi rank. The driver resists using the meter.

How do I avoid airport transfer overcharging in Türkiye?

Use the official taxi rank. Check that the meter is running. Consider Havaİst airport buses, which have published fares. From IST, consider the M11 metro.

What should I do if it happens to me?

Record the vehicle plate, taxi hub details and payment evidence if safe. Report an unresolved dispute to police.

Where in Türkiye does this happen?

Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), especially approaches inside the terminals. It has been reported in Istanbul.

How common is this scam in Türkiye?

Common. Tourist overcharging is very common in Turkey, especially when prices are not shown. Other risks include taxi tricks, wrong change, costly cash withdrawals, pushy shop invitations and fake nightlife offers. Watch your belongings in crowds and on public transport, especially in Istanbul.

Are there similar scams in Türkiye?

Yes: taking a longer taxi route, no meter and an inflated fixed fare, invented taxi extras.

Who can I report it to?

Emergency services: call 112 for urgent police or medical help. The call is free and can be made from a phone without a SIM card. Police: approach an officer or visit the nearest police station. Bring receipts, payment records and any taxi plate or hub details. If the unified emergency number does not work, the listed police fallback is 155. Gendarme: for urgent help in rural areas, call 112. The listed fallback number is 156 if the unified number does not work. Ankara tourist police section: a multilingual tourist police section is listed at AŞTİ bus station, but staffing is uncertain because staff were redeployed. If unavailable, approach another officer or police station. Card issuer or bank: use your bank's official app or verified contact number to block stolen cards and dispute unauthorised or wrongly entered payments. Taxi hub: use the hub name and phone number written on the side of the taxi. Provide the plate, journey details and disputed fare. Embassy or consulate: use your country's official government contact details if your passport is stolen or you need help replacing travel documents. Travel insurer or booking service: use its official claims or support channel. Provide your police reference, receipts, booking terms and payment evidence.

What number do I call in an emergency in Türkiye?

All emergency services, including police and gendarme: 112, Police fallback if the unified number does not work: 155, Gendarme fallback if the unified number does not work: 156.